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Recreation

Mark Twain National Forest has a wide range of popular recreation opportunities. With seven Wilderness Areas, the Ozark Trail, the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River, many campgrounds and day use areas, springs, and areas such as Fuchs House at Markham Springs you are sure to discover your place to unplug and make the Mark Twain part of your story.

Recreation Fee Free Days

a fishing dock at the Wild Boar Hollow boat launch

2025 dates

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 20, 2025
  • National Get Outdoors Day: June 14, 2025
  • Juneteenth: June 19, 2025
  • National Public Lands Day: September 27, 2025
  • Veterans Day: November 11, 2025

Interactive Visitor Map

View a full screen version of the Interactive Visitor Map.

Showing: 1 - 10 of 199 results

Bar-K Wrangler Camp

Site Open
Picnicking Hiking Water Activities Horse Riding and Camping Biking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Bar-K Wrangler Camp is a quiet campground located on the west bank of Swan Creek and serves as a Trailhead for the Swan Creek Trail.  The campground is used frequently by equestrians. Whether you…

Barn Hollow Float Camp

Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Water Activities
Barn Hollow Float Camp is on the left bank of the Eleven Point National Scenic River. This camp is located 10.4 miles downriver of Greer Crossing. Access is by river only.Canoes may be launched…

Bateman Road Trailhead

Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking
This is a trailhead for the Bateman Trail. From this trailhead you can access the Bottoms Corner Connector and Corral section of the trail. Bateman Trail DetailsRating: Moderate. Terrain is…

Bateman Trail

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking
The Bateman Trail, a non-motorized trail system, consists of approximately 16 miles of trail. This hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trail, leads you through limestone glades that can be seen…

Bay Nothing Gravel Boat Launch

Site Open
Water Activities Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
The Bay Nothing Gravel Boat Launch is situated on the east bank of the Current River and provides a gravel boat launch for motorized and non-motorized boats. This access is less developed and smaller…

Beaver Lake Recreation Area

Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Water Activities
Beaver Lake is 15 acres in size. Primitive camping is allowed but no facilities are provided. There is a gravel ramp for boat access. The lake has been stocked with channel catfish, bluegill, redear…

Bell Mountain Ottery Creek Trailhead

Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning
This trailhead accesses the Taum Sauk section of the Ozark Trail (OT) and the Bell Mountain Wilderness Trail.When entering the wilderness from the Ottery Creek Trailhead a short, 2 mile trail will…

Bell Mountain Wilderness

Site Open
Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning Horse Riding and Camping Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
This is a wonderful place to spend the day hiking! This 9,143 acre wilderness is part of the St. Francois Mountains, one of the oldest landforms in North America and includes the second highest peak…

Bell Mountain Wilderness Trail

Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
Visitors frequently enter the area for daytrips or as a part of a broader journey on the Ozark Trail system which crosses through the South East corner of the wilderness. The trails and wilderness…

Bell Mountain Wilderness Trailhead

Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Outdoor Science and Learning
This trailhead provides access to the Bell Mountain Wilderness from the north side.  It has a few parking spots, but no amenities.  There is usually just enough room for a small horse…